Initial report following team visit to Congo

On return from an eventful and rewarding missionary trip to the DR Congo, team leader Jim Rettie supplies to following initial report.

CONGO MISSION REPORT

by Jim Rettie

Bukavu

The Christian Fellowship of Healing (Highland) were invited to visit the democratic Republic of Congo by Bishop Pastor Matthew Wilonja of the Oasis Fellowship of Churches in Bukavu.

Pastor and Mrs. Wilondja
Matthew pic4

Matthew is an amazing man of God. Having more than once lost all , he continues to reach out with the Gospel News of Jesus to the villages and the marginalised people. He is responsible for hundreds of orphans and widows; victims of the atrocities of war.

He has a Primary school, a Clinic for the Chronic Sick, a Bible School to train pastors, and an outreach to the Pygmees. All in very primitive conditions. Matthew has an amazing vision for a Healing Centre for Africa.

Humbling; challenging; faith building

Our visit to DR Congo. has been very humbling, challenging, and faith building. The experience has been quite overwhelming. The people are so open to hear the Word of God and ready to respond. At all the meetings we witnessed the awesome power of God at work with many signs and wonders, and miracles; issues of blood stopped, prodigals returned, pains and sickness cured all to the glory of God.

Everywhere we went we were welcomed and felt loved. Despite one or two tense and delicate happenings [see Footnotes - Ed.] we at all times felt protected by the power of prayer, and safe.

Poverty and 'no easy answers'

Words could not describe the measure of poverty here, the roads and streets need to be seen to be believed. There seems no easy answer to the many, many problems, but Matthew and his team of Pastors are making a difference. He is one who puts his faith into action as we are asked to do in the letter of James (James 2:14).

It has been a privilege being part of it all for this short time. I am encouraged that the local Pastors are now taking on the Ministry of Healing.

On behalf of the team, who have been a tower of strength, and a great inspiration. I wish to thank all who have been praying fervently for us and in many ways have been part of this mission. May the Living Lord bless you all.

Jim Rettie
on behalf of the CFH(H) team

------------------------------------------------

The following pictures were supplied to Christians Together prior to the Inverness team's visit

------------
Footnotes:
1. The initial e-mail from Pastor Wilondja arrived with both the CFH(H) team and Christians Together. However this was not immediately apparent to either party, and each responded separately. Read on...
2. During the trip an incident occurred whereby the team were caught up in a traffic jam and vehicles in the queue were attacked by armed looters intent on robbing local traders returning from a market.
3. The following pictures were supplied to Christians Together by Pastor Wilondja prior to the Inverness team's visit. It is hoped that pictures from the visit itself will be available soon.

Matthew collage

Jim Rettie, 13/06/2010